The MFA offers discounted admission every third Thursday of the month, and Latinx Heritage Month kicked off this month’s MFA Thursday. Thursday, Sept. 18th, many different groups, including Latinx artistic groups, student groups, the interested public and resource-focused groups participated in the MFA Latinx Heritage Night.
The Student Latin Association at Suffolk University invited two groups of interested students to this event at staggered times to encourage participation while accounting for everyone’s different schedules. Participating in this Suffolk-led group and connecting with other students and joining a larger community at the MFA was a joyful way to celebrate a culture many are passionate about.
The captivating MFA event piqued guests’ curiosity before entering the main event room by teasing everyone with echoes of the lively music a couple of rooms ahead. That energetic welcome came from the Rafa Moreno Band, whose ensemble of wind and string instruments, accompanied by the vocalist, rang through the courtyard. The Rafa Moreno Band drew a diverse crowd — some swayed to his passionate voice while others enjoyed it with some Hispanic dishes served in the Courtyard Cafe. Around the perimeter, people mingled and explored different tables offering resources and programs dedicated to Boston’s Latinx community.
MFA galleries were open as usual, giving the public the chance to take a break and walk into these galleries as they pleased. While observing these galleries, there were Bilingual (English and Spanish) language tours focusing on Latinx pieces, their cultural significance and impact on Latinx identity while being accessible to those communities.
After the Rafa Moreno Band, spirits remained high as the Brazilian dance ensemble SambaVida began its bold performance. Their entrance with energetic rhythms and bright, dazzling costumes with attached wings lit up the space. SambaVida encouraged people to dance hand-in-hand with them and in groups around the floor. This atmosphere was carried over seamlessly by DJ Montro, who mixed popular Latin rhythms that intertwined effortlessly with the dancing bodies and laughter filling the crowd.
The MFA succeeded in creating an event that highlighted the intersection between art and culture, through galleries, dance, musicians and community resources.
Leslie Correa, an intern for the Latin Center at Tufts University, expressed her thoughts on the event.
“It was kind of nice to see how a city as big as Boston can show so much love and expression for a minority group, and showing that in art is really encouraging,” said Correa.
This vivid start to the Latinx night was such an exciting way to show appreciation for the community, especially that of Boston. It is essential to celebrate Latinx culture as both a Hispanic person and someone outside the community, because understanding a little more about other people’s lives increases the empathy needed to navigate this world in a way that accepts all the diverse aspects of the community. The community can provide incredible support in helping someone feel comfortable and proud of their identity by acknowledging that their differences are valuable in this society.
